Marietas Islands National Park: Full Day ALL INCLUSIVE Tour

Marietas Islands National Park is the star here, but the boat itself is nearly as important. You cruise across the Bay of Banderas with an open bar, music, water toys, and a crew led by people such as Raul, Alex, Saul, and Luis. I like the mix of wildlife watching and active water time, and I like that lunch, drinks, gear, and snacks are wrapped into the $110 price. The big catch is that Hidden Beach is not guaranteed, and getting into the water can mean jumping from the boat while wearing a life jacket.

This is a social, upbeat outing rather than a quiet nature cruise. You can find shade under the canopies, sit in the sun, or spend much of the afternoon swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, and using the slide. Just bring a towel, strong sunscreen, a hat, and a waterproof phone case. If you are traveling from Sayulita, allow extra time for the road transfer before and after the boat trip.

Key things to know before booking

• Hidden Beach costs extra and needs a limited permit: You must arrange the permit in advance, and access can be lost because of tide, weather, or timing.
• The boat is built for play: Snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards, floating mats, tubes, and waterslides are included.
• The open bar runs all day: Drinks include beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, soft drinks, coffee, juices, and water.
• Breakfast is light, lunch is substantial: Expect fruit and pastries or mini muffins early, followed by Mexican fajitas with rice, beans, and tortillas.
• Water entry takes effort: You may need to jump from a smaller boat into ocean water, and life jackets are required while in the water.
• Wildlife adds real value: Humpback whales are most likely from December through April, while turtles, rays, dolphins, and seabirds may appear year-round.

A party boat with a national park destination

The Marietas Islands are a protected marine area at the mouth of the Bay of Banderas. Their volcanic rock formations, sea caves, bird colonies, and clear water make them one of the most popular boat destinations near Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita.

Chica Locca Tours approaches the islands with a festive plan. The crew serves drinks, plays music, explains the day, and keeps the water activities moving. This is not a bare-bones ferry ride where you simply look at the islands from a distance. It is closer to a floating beach club with a nature stop built into the middle.

That tone will suit you if you want to meet other people and keep busy. It may not suit you if you want a silent boat, a small private group, or long uninterrupted time on a beach. The maximum group size is 66 people, which leaves room to move around but does not make this an intimate sailing trip.

The strongest part of the experience is the crew. They keep drinks coming, help people on and off the boat, watch the water during activities, and make solo visitors feel included. Families also get plenty of attention, including children as young as five, though parents should still judge the water conditions and boat access for themselves.

Breakfast, drinks, and the cruise across Banderas Bay

The day begins with a direct cruise from the meeting point toward Marietas Islands. The boat serves fresh fruit and a small pastry breakfast. In practice, you should think of this as a light start, not a full meal. Some onboard descriptions refer to pastries, while direct feedback describes fruit and a mini muffin. If you tend to get hungry early, eat something before departure or plan accordingly.

The all-day beverage service is a major part of the price. You can request water, coffee, juice, soda, and mineral water, or choose alcoholic drinks such as beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, piña coladas, and champagne. The minimum drinking age is 18.

I like this setup because you do not need to budget for every drink once onboard. It also helps make the long cruise feel like part of the outing rather than dead time. The boat stops for guacamole and chips during the ride, and snacks remain available later.

Still, the open bar changes the mood. Music can be loud, especially on the return trip, and the atmosphere is designed for fun. If you are sensitive to noise, look for a seat away from the main music area and use the shaded spaces when you want a break.

During the cruise, the crew keeps watch for marine life. From December through April, humpback whales pass through these waters. Dolphins, turtles, rays, and seabirds may also appear at different times of year. Whale sightings are never guaranteed, but the crew communicates with other boats and may pause when an animal appears.

The roughly one-hour ride each way matters. It gives you time to enjoy the coastline and the ocean breeze, but it also means the island activity period is not the whole six hours. If you book this as a half-day tour, remember that boat travel takes up a good portion of the schedule.

Reaching Playa la Nopalera and the water activities

By late morning, the boat anchors within the national park area. The crew divides the water program into manageable activities, often rotating groups between snorkeling, the beach, and floating or play time near the boat.

The route to Playa la Nopalera can involve swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, or paddling with a guide. This is where the day becomes physical. You are not simply stepping from a dock onto a sandy beach. You may need to enter the water from the boat and make your way toward shore.

Snorkeling gear is included, along with kayaks, paddleboards, water tubes, floating mattresses, and waterslides. The mix works well for groups with different interests. One person can snorkel while another floats, and children can enjoy the slide or a kid-friendly piña colada while adults use the bar.

Water conditions change from day to day. Some outings offer clear water and plenty of fish. On other days, the water can be murky, and the snorkeling portion may feel rushed. You should book this for the overall day on the bay, not as a specialist snorkeling trip.

A practical warning: the supplied gear may not include child-size snorkeling equipment. If your child needs a small mask or fins, bring your own if possible. Also, protect your phone in a waterproof pouch. There is a lot of swimming, splashing, and jumping around the boat.

Life jackets are required in the water under national park safety rules. Strong swimmers may find this restrictive, and an ill-fitting jacket can rub or make snorkeling awkward. Try the jacket carefully before entering the water and tell the crew at once if the fit is poor.

Water entry is another consideration. Some people are expected to jump from a smaller boat into the ocean, even when a ladder is present on the larger vessel. That can be hard for older adults, anyone with joint pain, or anyone uncomfortable with waves. Ask the crew about assistance before the activity begins, and do not assume the ladder will solve every access issue.

Hidden Beach is special, but never automatic

The famous Hidden Beach is the image many people have in mind when they hear Marietas Islands. Access is tightly controlled because the islands are a protected national park and biosphere reserve. Only a limited number of people can enter, and a separate permit must be reserved and paid for in pesos.

The permit is not included in the $110 tour price. You need to request it after booking, using the information in your confirmation, and reserve early for the best chance of matching your preferred date. Even with a permit, conditions can prevent entry. High tide, rough weather, delays, or park restrictions may mean you visit Playa la Nopalera or remain near the boat instead.

This is the most important value question. If seeing Hidden Beach is your main reason for booking, you are paying for a chance, not a promise. One family missed the beach after a late start and engine trouble left too little time before the tide changed. Weather has also stopped beach access on otherwise enjoyable trips.

When conditions cooperate, the swim through the opening and the sandy pocket inside are memorable. The access itself is part of the adventure, but it also explains why this is not suitable for everyone. You need to be comfortable in open water and able to manage the boat-to-water transfer.

Lunch, floating time, and the ride home

After the island activities, you return to the boat for lunch. The main meal is Mexican-style fajitas with rice, beans, and tortillas. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available if you request them at booking.

The food earns generally strong marks, though expectations should remain sensible. This is prepared boat-tour fare, not a restaurant meal. The generous lunch, guacamole, chips, breakfast, and unlimited beverages make the package feel more complete than a tour that charges separately for each item.

After eating, the boat becomes a floating play area. You can use the water toys again, relax on a floating mattress, swim, watch for wildlife, or sit under the shade. The open bar and music continue, and the crew keeps the mood lively.

The return cruise is less structured. You can dance, talk, drink, or simply watch the coast slide by. The cruise director acts as master of ceremonies, so expect announcements, music, and plenty of social energy. If you prefer quiet, claim a shaded seat toward the edge of the activity.

An onboard photographer takes action and candid photos throughout the day. You can buy the photo package separately, but it is not included. This can be useful if you do not want to risk your phone in the water, though you should decide how much you want to spend before viewing the photos.

What the $110 price really covers

At $110 per person, the tour offers strong value for an active day on the water. You receive the boat trip, breakfast, snacks, lunch, premium drinks, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, tubes, floating mats, and waterslides. The combination is especially useful for families and groups because everyone can choose a different activity without adding separate rental fees.

The value drops if you do not drink alcohol, dislike loud music, or plan to skip the water activities. In that case, you are still paying for the full entertainment package. The Hidden Beach permit and photo package cost extra, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

You must choose your meeting place before completing the reservation. If you are starting from Sayulita, transportation to the marina may take about 50 minutes each way, with traffic affecting the return. That transfer is worth factoring into your day, especially with young children.

The tour is usually booked well ahead, with an average advance booking time of about 23 days. That makes sense for dates when whale watching or Hidden Beach access matters. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Late cancellations and changes are not accepted.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would choose this tour for you if you want a ready-made day with food, drinks, music, wildlife, and several ways to get wet. It works well for couples, groups of friends, solo visitors, and families whose children are comfortable around boats and ocean water.

It is also a good choice if you want a social crew rather than a formal naturalist program. The staff focus on keeping the day moving and enjoyable, while still watching safety and helping people use the gear.

I would think twice if you need easy step-down access into the sea, require quiet surroundings, or care only about visiting Hidden Beach. Physical ability matters more here than the broad most travelers can participate wording suggests. You should be comfortable swimming, climbing, and handling a jump or assisted entry from the boat.

Drones are prohibited under federal rules, partly to protect the flight path of endemic birds. The tour may use a multilingual guide, and the crew can provide vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free food with advance notice.

Should you book the Marietas Islands tour?

Book it if you want the full package: an energetic boat, all-day drinks, solid lunch, wildlife chances, and a menu of water activities. The crew’s attention is the clearest reason to choose this operator, and the variety keeps the day from depending on one single attraction.

Book with realistic expectations about Hidden Beach. Secure the permit early, but accept that nature and park rules control access. Bring sun protection, a towel, waterproof phone protection, and suitable footwear. If you have mobility concerns, ask detailed questions about water entry before paying.

For $110, this is a good-value outing for an active social day on the Pacific coast. It is less appealing as a quiet island sightseeing trip, and snorkeling conditions can be uneven. For the right kind of day, though, the combination of whales, sea birds, swimming, fajitas, and a crew that keeps watch over you makes the price fair.

FAQ

How long does the Marietas Islands tour last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours, including the cruise to the islands, island activities, lunch, and the return trip.

What is included in the $110 price?

The price includes premium food and beverages, breakfast, lunch, guacamole and chips, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, floating mats, tubes, waterslides, and onboard bathrooms.

Is Hidden Beach included?

No. Hidden Beach requires a separate permit and an extra fee. Access is limited and can be affected by tides, weather, delays, and national park rules.

Can I see whales on this tour?

Humpback whales are present in the area from December through April. Sightings are possible but are not guaranteed. Dolphins, turtles, rays, and seabirds may also be seen throughout the year.

Is breakfast a full meal?

No. Breakfast is a light serving of fresh fruit and pastries or mini muffins. Guacamole and chips are served during the cruise, followed by a fajita lunch with rice, beans, and tortillas.

Are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available, but you should advise the operator when booking.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. The premium open bar includes beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, soft drinks, juices, coffee, water, and mineral water. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Do I need to be able to swim?

The island activities involve swimming, snorkeling, paddling, or entering the water from the boat. You should be comfortable in the water, and life jackets are required while in the water.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must choose a meeting place before submitting the reservation. From Sayulita, transportation to and from the marina may take about 50 minutes each way.